Excellent point. Appreciate it.
While reading your response I had thoughts of flying you out to NYC when I am ready to do the install and paying you to put things together in my car. :-) Wonder how much that would cost.

while i do installs for people, i do them here, where i have tools. it would be cheaper for you to drive here.

Havent read anymore of the thread since I replied, but here is a quick breakdown if you buy stuff used when you can. These prices are either new or just below brand new. This would be as good as a stereo system you could get before you get to the level of pure insanity... And still costs around $2,300. I really dont see much need for anything any better than Focal K2, Polyglass, Pioneer PRS, and Alpine PDX amplifiers. There is honestly just no need IMO.

Havent read anymore of the thread since I replied, but here is a quick breakdown if you buy stuff used when you can. These prices are either new or just below brand new. This would be as good as a stereo system you could get before you get to the level of pure insanity... And still costs around $2,300. I really dont see much need for anything any better than Focal K2, Polyglass, Pioneer PRS, and Alpine PDX amplifiers. There is honestly just no need IMO.

Exactly. For $2k or just a bit more, youre going to be about as high end as you can possibly want to be.

I did a system for a friend of mine on the cheap that sounded GREAT. Basic Pioneer 5100, Focal Polyglass 165VR, Focal 33V1 13" Subwoofer, Crescendo 1000C4, Stinger wiring kit, AudioTechnix deadener, materials for box, etc. He bought all the equipment and materials, I built him a simple aeroport box, did the install for free since he was a friend, and he was out the door for right at $1,000 for a Focal system done RIGHT.